Podiatry salary: legal minimum and how your rate compares

Podiatry salary: understanding the legal minimum

When you search for a podiatry salary, you are likely looking for a typical market rate. However, this site focuses on the legal pay floor. The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission, is the lowest amount an adult award-free employee can be paid. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (38 ordinary hours). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

It is important to separate the legal minimum from other figures you might see:

Legal minimum vs survey average

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week in total earnings. These are broad averages, not specific to podiatry. No precise market rate for podiatrists is available in the reference used for this guide.

Award rates

Many podiatrists are covered by a modern award, such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Award rates are higher than the national minimum for most classifications. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. An introductory rate (first 6 months) cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. If you are unsure which award applies, see our guide Which minimum wage applies.

Negotiated salaries

Some podiatrists negotiate a salary above the award or minimum. This is common in private practice or for experienced practitioners. Your negotiated salary should always be at least the legal minimum, and if an award covers you, the award rate is the floor. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.

Superannuation is on top

When discussing any pay figure, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of your ordinary time earnings. The current super guarantee is 12%. For example, if your base salary is $1,004.90 per week, your employer must contribute an additional $120.59 to your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay.

Who is covered by the national minimum?

The national minimum wage applies to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Most private-sector employees are in the national system. Some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are in the state system and may have different minimums. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and supported wage employees can be paid less than the adult rate. For award-free juniors, the percentages range from 36.8% for under 16 to 97.7% for 20-year-olds. See our Rate tables for details.

How to check your rate

If you have an hourly rate, compare it to the national minimum of $26.44. If you are covered by an award, check the pay guide for your classification. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these rules. Remember, the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, not the Ombudsman.

For more detail on how these figures are calculated, visit How the figures work. This site provides orientation only, not a pay determination or legal advice.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage for a podiatrist in Australia?

For award-free adult podiatrists, the legal minimum is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week (38 hours). Casual employees get $33.05 per hour. If you are covered by a modern award (such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020), the award rate may be higher. Check your classification with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How does superannuation affect my podiatry salary?

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your ordinary time earnings. The current super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. For example, if your base salary is $1,004.90 per week, your employer must pay an additional $120.59 into your super fund. Super is not part of your take-home pay.

Where can I find the award rate for podiatrists?

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each modern award. Podiatrists are often covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. You can find the latest award rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. If your employer has an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set a higher rate. The national minimum wage is the floor.